www.maritime-executive.com/article/one-dead-in-bizarre-accident-aboard-french-yacht-off-gran-canaria

julesmoto said..

Mate of mine still goes up on one halliard with no safety. He says his main halliard is in good condition and that is the end of the discussion. Another mate winches him up. I won't.

Although the article doesn't suggest that the rigging failed, more that the aloft sailor got tangled up.

I'm with you though, I have little trust in the halyard, the sheave pin and winch. I usually will have backup prusik knots or Jumars on the jib (if climbing main) and spinnaker halyards.

Chris 249 said..
... prefer to actually climb with the person on the halyard just taking up the slack...

I make the person on the halyard winch me up all the way as punishment for making me go up the mast in the first place!

Me up Brindabellas rig in Bass Straight. I was only up there because i knew the condition of the gear and had a good team on deck. Still pooping myself, but alternative was number one stuck up there with 30 knots forecast.

shaggybaxter said..

stray said..
Me up Brindabellas rig in Bass Straight. I was only up there because i knew the condition of the gear and had a good team on deck. Still pooping myself, but alternative was number one stuck up there with 30 knots forecast.

One of my favourite boats of all time. Jealous!

Yes She's a lovely Girl. Im very fortunate to be skippering her in Adelaide for charters.

Was that the Jutson or the Farr, stray? It looks like the big one.

That's a looooooong way up in the air in that part of the world; good stuff.

I put a fair bit of faith in skills to pull yourself up a mast and have someone reliable tail. It is much faster and better on the mast man.
If the boat is your own then you should always be fine on a single rope as you must keep halyards in excellent condition, especially now no-one should be using stainless steel for halyards anymore. Canyoners do single rope safely all the time. I don't like bosuns chairs at all and recommend canyoning rather than less comfy climbing harnesses. Backing up can be okay but offshore with sails up your spare halyards will be in use. I happily abseil 50 metre cliffs on a single rope. I do use vt prussics which are great bits of kit.
I would encourage people to do an abseiling course to learn about backups and safety and also get used to heights. I hope never to go up the mast offshore but practice inshore and on cliffs is good for safety.